New Delhi:BJP president J P Nadda on Wednesday announced that he will neither celebrate nor organise Holi Milan in an effort to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of novel Coronavirus.

''The world is battling COVID-19 Novel Corona Virus. The countries and medical fraternity are jointly making efforts to contain its spread. Keeping this in mind, this year, I will neither celebrate Holi nor organise Holi Milan,'' Mr Nadda said in his tweet.

He wished the people ''Stay Safe, Stay Healthy''.Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also said that they have decided not to participate in any 'Holi Milan programme' this year due to the threat of the deadly virus.

''Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year, I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme,'' the Prime Minister said in his missive.

Mr Shah appealed to everyone to avoid public gatherings and take good care of themselves and the families.

''Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, i have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year,'' Mr Shah said in his tweet.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that a total of 28 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in India, including the three cases first reported in Kerala. Today, 14 of the 21 Italian tourists and one Indian driver of the tour bus tested positive for the ncoronavirus.(UNI)